New Cop, New Commissioner in Lower Pottsgrove

Photo by Evan Brandt

Newly appointed Lower Pottsgrove Township Commissioner Bob Mohollen with, his children, from left, Nick, 19; Samantha, 10 and Bobby, 21.

Two new faces joined the ranks of Lower Pottsgrove civic life Thursday night, although one of them has been around for a while.

The township commissioners unanimously selected Zoning Hearing Board member Bob Mohollen as the replacement for Jim Vlahos, who resigned suddenly two weeks ago.

Photo by Evan Brandt

District Judge Ed Kropp, right, administers the oath of office

to Lower Pottsgrove's newest commissioner, Bob Mohollen.

He was selected from among three candidates, the others being prior applicants to the board, Charles Nippert and former school board member B. Scott Fulmer.

Board Vice Chairman Stephen Klotz said unlike the last time the board replaced a commissioner -- when Shawn Watson stepped down last year under a cloud regarding unpaid taxes -- the candidates were not interviewed publicly.

He did not say why.

Solicitor Charles D. Garner Jr. said the law does not allow a member of the zoning hearing board to also serve as a township commissioner, and Mohollen said he had already tendered his resignation from the zoning board. The board voted unanimously to accept it last night.

Chairman Bruce Foltz said the township must now find a candidate for the zoning hearing board.

Photo by Evan Brandt

Lower Pottsgrove Police Chief Mike Foltz, right, welcomes 

David Allan McKenchie after his wife Jackie pinned on his badge.

The township already found a candidate for new police officer -- David Allan McKenchie.

He was sworn in Thursday night by District Judge Ed Kropp and his wife Jackie pinned his badge on him.

A graduate of Liberty University with a B.S. in biology and environmental science, McKenchie also graduated from Montgomery County Community College and most recently worked as a defensive combat instructor at Civillian Defense Concepts in Royersford.

He is a black belt and received perfect marksmanship scores, winning the Sgt. James Miller Marksmanship Award, at the Montgomery County Police Academy, which he graduated in April.

Here are the Tweets from the rest of the meeting.